Making Positive Changes: Keeping your children’s lives in balance

Saturday

Nov 2, 2013 at 8:00 PM

By HEIDI SEALSFor The Journal-Standard

Being involved in social activities is a very important part of life. It is known to help decrease depression and it helps us keep things balanced and in perspective. However, each of us has varying levels of need for social interaction.

Some people only need a little to feel fulfilled, while others require much more. Children are no different. It is crucial for children to have regular time with their peers, both one-on-one and in group settings, to learn valuable lessons in appropriate social interactions, such as sharing, taking turns, working as a team, connecting with others, etc. With that being said, it is also very important to avoid overscheduling your children.

When children have after-school activities every day of the week and then more scheduled on weekends, it becomes pretty difficult to keep life balanced. The amount of pressure placed on kids either by themselves, parents, coaches or others around them tends to increase with each added activity.

Although it is important for them to be involved in things where they get the chance to be part of a group, get physical activity and have fun with peers, being stretched too thin starts taking away from the potential benefits.

It is important to remember other things that are important for kids to have happen on a regular basis, such as time to read or do homework without having to stay up extra late to get it done. Children need regular quality time with parents and siblings and benefit greatly from having family dinners most nights at home.

Spending time in creative play or running around outside is also important. They need quiet time to relax and reflect on their days. Getting enough regular sleep is also crucial in maintaining overall good health.

If children are on-the-go from one scheduled event to the next from the time they get out of school until close to bedtime, those other important aspects of life will certainly get pushed aside. Spend some time thinking about your children’s daily schedules and reflect on how you can improve the overall balance in their lives. Take steps to make any necessary positive changes.

Heidi Seals is a licensed clinical professional counselor at New Horizons Counseling Center, 34 N. Whistler Ave.,Freeport. She can be reached at 815-235-6171. You may also e-mail her at newhorizons@aeroinc.net. If you have a question or topic you would like to see addressed in this column, please call or mail in your suggestions and she will try to respond to as many as possible in the upcoming articles.

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